People are always referring to this as "the simple life"...for years now I have been trying to figure out what the heck they are referring to! It isn't simple trying to correct problems in creatures that can't tell you what is wrong with them when you lack x ray vision and degree in veterinary science, it isn't simple to essentially attempt to do everything from start to finish yourself, it isn't simple to work forty real and then forty really hard. What are they talking about???

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002

Answers

I agree Doreen. The simple life would be puttin' in a day for the man and veggin' in front of the tube with a bag o' munchies.

What we have is not the simple life, but it is the good life. How's Peaches doing, anyway? How are YOU doing?

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.com), April 01, 2002.

I agree the "simple life" ain't so simple. I think we may have missed the boat and these forums are our only source of floatation. I have often considered "going off the grid" for power. But the numbers are not sustainable and the start up cost could never be recovered in one lifetime.

I am going to try to explain why( please forgive me if I screw up, I'm a little stressed)

I think the lifestyle we admire and desire requires something that is lost to many of us. Large Families and Strong Communities !!! TRUST !!! and a Communal Banking System !!! Yes, I'm saying that one person, or one family would find a more liesurely lifestyle in Apartment living. There are just not enough hours in the day or days in a week to sustain the life my Grandfather and his nine children led. My father has always smiled at me and said--" you cannot be everything to everybody and still find peace in yourself"

We either find a strong communal living system where we all share our talents and money or we will continue to beat our heads on the wall. We have to learn to Trust God and each other even when it seems that the thieves out number the faithful. I am speaking of a system like the Shakers had. They too, had problems but even Thomas Jefferson quoted that they were the greatest society --one to be admired and copied.

I am not sure if we possess the courage or faith to return to that lifestyle. Ahhhh--but what a thing of beauty it was--the finest of everything-- unequaled engineering and craftmanship. The finest farms ever constructed. The most kind and generous people to ever exist. I know that deep in my heart I yearn for that peace that they had ! It is the illusive prize I seek ! There is only one way to achieve it and that is to band together with--

Hands to Work,Hearts to God

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), April 01, 2002.

This wasn't meant to be a gripe...just musing about the serious lack of accuracy in a common phrase. My thoughts on it are that it is decidedly the most ~r e a l~ lifestyle a person in modern America can carve for themselves, and it IS good, but it sure isn't simple!

Peaches is still alive, so there is still hope! She did really well for one day then slipped back into her anorexic ways. I was searching through the Merck's manual last night and believe that what she is in need of is acidity in her rumen to get those proper juices flowing, so I syringed some cider vinegar water and did another cud transplant. I guess I will continue the regimen I have been following and add a twice per day cud transplant and some vinegar into my concoction. The thing is that all of the experts are stumped, so...I'm praying a lot and just trying the best that I can.

Myself?... well, I have developed even more respect for folks with the ability to nurse for a living. What a tremendous amount of selflessness and heart these folks have! It's gone on my list of professions I couldn't possibly aspire to along with astronaut, doctor, sewage plant worker and molecular biologist, amongst others:). I'm just being tested. I suppose being asked three times yesterday "why on earth" do you want to pursue this lifestyle gave me some pause. The answer is because even if it isn't simple, even if it isn't easy, it's right...and it's real, and it is indeed GOOD!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), April 01, 2002.

You're right, Doreen, about the challenges. But I think that my life is much simpler than most of my friends', because I more often choose to be at home. I'm not running up and down the street shuttling children to this and that activity. It's terribly tiring for me to "run" all day, and I don't often do it. We find most of our enjoyment at home.

-- mary (mlg@mlg.com), April 01, 2002.

Its "in depth agronomic engineering and research." "Simple life" better describes Bonnie and Clyde... they traveled, they robbed, they lived , they died... Simple :>)

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.

Doreen, nursing is the easy part.........all you have to do is love and care. Now getting along with the doctors and administrators...........THAT requires a saint and it sure was NOT ME.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.

Stop!! Your killing me. HO, HO, HA. HA, HA!! I cared so much the other night for that vile, drunken, B**TA*d that spit a mouthfull of his blood and vomit on me...........Well, I just had to "care" for him w/ a #8 ET tube down his throat and stuck his A** on a ventilator for a few hours. That's what happens when you break the 3 MF rule AND intentionally, launch body fluids on your nurse. Yep, tube-orama. Had something everywhere there was an opening. 4 point restraints are your friend. Makes it easier to care for people who really need it w/o the distractions. Sorry.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

I just re-read that post. Is it any wonder I want to come home and go talk to the chickens after work?

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), April 01, 2002.

Wow, John. So what's the 3MF rule?? I sure hope I never break it!

As to administrators etal, I really just don't do that well in overly structured environments. In other words, I can't take orders too well...or maybe it's people? I never could understand why procuring a box of paperclips had to have three forms and an authorized requisition. I just quit in frustration!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), April 01, 2002.

Doreen, I doubt you'll ever have to worry about that rule. Something to do w/ yelling at the top of your voice, after being asked and warned, about mother......you get the drift.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

Laura, I would call your description, (eight hours and the boob tube) the "simpleton" life. I think the "simple" life that people are attracted to has more to do with the ability to appreciate the simple joys of being alive. The smell of the dirt in the garden in spring. The look in the eyes of the kid (goat or human) in your arms. The ache in your back and the satisfaction of a job well done. It's hard to wake up in the morning and look forward to the grind and the zombie machine with a sense of simple joy, but knowing that after work today I'll come home and split some wood to heat my house for the weekend cold snap makes me smile...

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), April 04, 2002.

The term simple is in the eye of the beholder....

-- Kristean Thompson (pigalena_babe@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.